Capital Punishment Essay - True Justice Through Application of the Deat

True Justice Through Application of the Death Penalty      Ã‚  Ã‚   The death penalty, as administered by states based on their individual laws, is considered capital punishment, the purpose of which is to penalize criminals convicted of murder or other heinous crimes (Fabian).   The death penalty issue has been the focus of much controversy in recent years, even though capital punishment has been a part of our country's history since the beginning.   Crimes in colonial times, such as murder and theft of livestock were dealt with swiftly and decisively ("The Death Penalty...").   Criminals were hanged shortly after their trial, in public executions. This practice was then considered just punishment for those crimes.   Recently though, the focus of the death penalty debate has been on moral and legal issues.   The murderers of today's society can be assured of a much longer life even after conviction, with the constraints of the appeals process slowing the implementation of their death sentence.   In most cases, the appeal pro cess lasts several years, during which time criminals enjoy comfortable lives.   They have television, gym facilities, and the leisure time to attend free college-level classes that most American citizens must struggle to afford.   Foremost, these murderers have the luxury of time, something their victims ran out of the moment their paths crossed.   It is time this country realized the only true justice for these criminals is in the form of the death penalty.   The death penalty should be administered for particularly heinous crimes.    Opponents of capital punishment are outspoken and vehement in their arguments.   They believe the death penalty does not does not deter crime.   They also hold the opinion that endin... ...l Punishment:   Give It a Chance."   Pro-Death Penalty.    http://www.clas.virginia.edu/~fdc4k/brinkers.html   (7 Apr. 00) "The Death Penalty - An Eye for an Eye"   ACLU.   http://www.aclu.org/library/pbp8.html   (17 Apr. 00) Fabian, Nicholas   "A Review of Capital Punishment:   Is the Death Penalty a Deterrent Against Crime?"   Pro-Death Penalty.   http://webcom.net/~nfhome/capital.htm  Ã‚  Ã‚   (20 Apr. 00) "Issues and Controversies:   The Death Penalty"   Issues and Controversies on File. http://www.facts.com/cd/i00015.htm#100015_b   (20 Apr. 00)    Sharp, Dudley   "Death Penalty and Sentencing Information in the United States"   Pro-   Death Penalty.   http://www.prodeathpenalty.com/DP.html   (17 Apr. 00) Snell, Tracy   "Capital Punishment 1995"   U. S. Department of Justice.   http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles/cp95.pdf   (20 Apr. 00)